Michael Fortney

Mike Fortney helps his clients with construction law, business and employment law representation. He has maintained his AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell since 1994, signifying that his "legal abilities are of the very highest standard and that his professional ethics and conduct are above question." [Email]

Before law school, Mike worked as a chemist, served as the president of a local union, and worked as a carpenter for a general contractor. During law school, Mike received a number of awards and honors, including the Federal Bar Association award for the outstanding law school student in the Sixth Federal Appellate District, and an appointment to the Law Review.

Mike graduated from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 1985, summa cum laude. After working for the Law Reform Division of the Legal Aid Society during law school, Mike practiced with Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, one of Cleveland's and the nation's largest firms, from 1985 until 1988. After leaving, SS&D, Mike practiced with Millisor & Nobil until forming Fortney & Klingshirn in 1993.

Mike maintains areas of expertise in construction law, employment and labor law, litigation, business disputes and ADR. He has successfully litigated and served as an arbitrator and mediator in cases involving construction disputes, commercial business disputes, and employment disputes.

Mike's representation in the construction industry includes assisting owners, general contractors and subcontractors and serving as a neutral in disputes involving competitive bidding, contract formation, unforseen and differing site conditions, scope of work disputes, changed or extra work disputes, quality of work issues, timeliness of completion, delay, acceleration, liquidated damage claims, completion of work, mechanic’s lien claims, and non-payment issues.

Mike's commercial and business experience includes representations of parties or service as a neutral in disputes involving property issues, employment disputes, business sales and services, business ownership, and business formation and operation.

Mike has represented employers and employees and served as a neutral in employment disputes alleging age discrimination, race discrimination, sex harassment, disability discrimination, cases brought under state civil rights statutes, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the ADEA, the ADA, the NLRA, cases alleging wrongful discharge, cases seeking the enforcement of non-competition agreements, small business ownership issues, and disputes between shareholders in closely held corporations.

When he is not practicing law, Mike and his family operate a tree farm from his home in Medina County. Mike enjoys bicycle touring, hiking and skiing, and is currently looking forward to his next adventure.